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Planetarium pins hopes on TIM revitalization
Starry show: A projection showcases the constellations on the Jakarta Planetarium’s ceiling
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tarry show: A projection showcases the constellations on the Jakarta Planetarium’s ceiling. The planetarium’s management was forced to reduce the show from seven to two daily because of a lack of spare parts and poor maintenance of its projection equipment.(JP/Ricky Yudhistira)
Mega Paramitha, 24, longed to see the Jakarta Planetarium and Observatory on Jl. Cikini Raya in Central Jakarta and was finally able to visit in June.
She admits to having always wanted to visit the planetarium and was able to achieve her wish despite living in Bogor.
The planetarium offers a variety of displays related to space and features a projection show that explores the solar system.
“It’s as if you were on a rocket and you could see the Earth without pollution while the planets and stars were all explained to us,” Mega said recently.
However, Mega was concerned over the lack of care she saw at some attractions, such as the dusty telescopes and space suits displayed in glass cases.
“It looked like it wasn’t really cared for, so the best part of the experience was the projection show,” said Mega.
The planetarium, however, has been forced to reduce the number of daily projection shows from seven to two because of the lack of spare parts for the projector.
The projector, a Universarium Projector VIII, used for the show is specialized equipment made by German optic company Carl Zeiss and has been in operation at the Jakarta Planetarium since 1996.
“We are missing spare parts such as light bulbs, dimmers to control light intensity, power supply and a digital servo module [to control star movement],” Jakarta Planetarium spokesman Eko Wahyu Wibowo told The Jakarta Post on Monday.
He added that the fewer shows were an attempt to prolong the projector’s life.
The problem stems from the planetarium’s partnership with PT Bunga Lestari to modernize the projector in 2013.
The planetarium received and wanted to use a new digital projector, called Velvet. However, the new projector does not work.
“Because the new projector is not functional, the city administration refuses to pay PT Bunga Lestari, which in turn cannot pay Carl Zeiss, causing this whole dispute,” said Eko.
As a result of the prolonged dispute between PT Bunga Lestari and Carl Zeiss, the German company has not provided maintenance and spare parts to the planetarium since 2016.
Despite its troubles, there is a hope that the planetarium’s future will be bright.
On July 3, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan officially conducted the groundbreaking for the revitalization of Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM).
The Jakarta Planetarium and Observatory is among the locations in the TIM area that are expected to get a face-lift thanks to the revitalization.
With a budget of Rp 1.8 trillion (US$129 million) the revitalization is to be conducted in two phases, with the planetarium scheduled for the second phase.
The first phase is to focus on the renovation of facilities such as the Amir Hamzah Mosque, a culinary center, a library and the fire station and the construction of a new Wisma TIM guesthouse, according to a written statement by city-owned developer PT Jakarta Propertindo (PT Jakpro).
In addition to the planetarium, the second phase would build an art and cultural dorm and a theater arena and renovate other buildings such as the Graha Bhakti Budaya Theater.
However, it is still unclear what form of improvements or renovations the planetarium would receive.
“The planetarium is part of the TIM area that will get revitalization; however, the details and what form the renovation will take are still being evaluated,” the head of the TIM administrative bureau, Verony Sembiring, said on Monday.
He added that the details and plans over what sort of renovations would be decided by developer PT Jakpro, which is responsible for the TIM revitalization.
“We are still currently planning for the first phase of the revitalization and the planetarium is in the second phase,” PT Jakpro corporate secretary Hanni Sumarno told the Post on Monday.
It is unlikely that PT Jakpro can take on all the needs of every building as there are other agencies that are responsible, said Hanni in regard to the planetarium’s dispute.
She added that before any renovation work happens, PT Jakpro must consult with the Jakarta Tourism and Culture Agency. (tru)
